Kursk Bridge Destroyed by Suspected HIMARS Rockets Amidst Intensifying Conflict
Ukraine’s air defenses successfully intercepted all 14 Russian Shahed drones launched in an overnight attack, the Ukrainian air force announced Saturday. The drones were shot down over six regions in southern and central Ukraine, minimizing damage and casualties from the assault.
In a separate development, Russia’s foreign ministry reported that Ukraine had used Western-made rockets, possibly U.S.-supplied HIMARS, to target a bridge over the Seym River in the Kursk region. The attack reportedly resulted in the complete destruction of the bridge and the deaths of volunteers who were assisting in evacuating civilians. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, condemned the attack as a severe escalation.
Simultaneously, Ukrainian military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi disclosed that Ukrainian forces had advanced between 1 and 3 kilometers in certain areas of the Kursk region. This marked progress in Kyiv’s ground offensive, which began 11 days ago. Since August 6, Ukrainian forces have claimed control of 82 settlements over an area of 1,150 square kilometers in the region.
Both the Ukrainian and Russian sides have made competing claims about the situation on the ground. The Russian government has accused Western nations of directly supporting and encouraging Ukraine’s offensive actions. Moscow has labeled Kyiv’s actions as a “terrorist invasion” and maintains that it will not alter the war’s trajectory.
In Washington, U.S. officials argue that supporting Ukraine’s defensive efforts and recent incursions into Russian territory is necessary to counteract Russian aggression and prevent a victory for President Vladimir Putin, who launched the invasion in February 2022.
